Cost

Subjects

Deadlines

Program Overview

The KIIS Ecuador program operates in odd-numbered years (2019, 2021, 2023, etc.).

KIIS Ecuador embraces the natural beauty of this South American country: snowcapped volcanic peaks, lush rain forest and the famous Galapagos Islands. This program will mainly focus on the biological sciences, visiting three diverse eco-systems. The program culminates in the Galapagos Islands, home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Note: Students should be aware that many excursions are physically strenuous involving hiking in lowland heat and humidity as well as in cold conditions at higher altitudes.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English.

Accommodations: Hostels/Lodges, 2-6 people per room.

Orientation: Mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

GEOG 328: Elements of Biogeography

This course will examine interrelationships among climatic factors, vegetation biomes, soil-forming processes, as well as human alteration of the bio-geographical environment. The course will also examine the major evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes which have helped to shape the distribution of plant, mammal, avian and aquatic species across the Earth.

BIOL 316 Evolution: Theory and Process

This course examines the set of diverse observations that supports the theory and examines the forces and mechanisms that cause evolutionary change. We will capitalize on the richness of tropical ecosystems by integrating the historical and modern observations and inferences made by others with our own observations in rain forest, tropical montane, and equatorial island (Galapagos Islands) ecosystems.

BIOL 475 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

This course introduces the student to the extraordinary variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems of tropical regions. Students will observe and study the wide range of habitats and species in the natural regions of mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

BIOL 475 Topics: Herpetology

A survey of the reptiles and amphibians of Ecuador. Students will be introduced to ecological concepts, conservation issues, and field sampling techniques that are appropriate for tropical amphibian and reptile species. The course emphasizes field course excursions, exposing students to diverse amphibian and reptile habitats.

BIOL 475 Topics: Aquatic and Marine Biology

This course explores the ecology and the environmental science of aquatic systems on islands and tropical mainlands. Students will tour the underwater world of Ecuador from rivers and calderas in mainland Ecuador to the marine environments on the coasts of the Galapagos in the Pacific Ocean.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Our excursion into the eastern cloud forests will enable us to see hummingbirds and perhaps catch a glimpse of a masked trogon, one of the most colorful birds in all South America. Don’t forget your raincoat… Yanayacu ca be quite wet!!

Your chance to climb an active volcano (contingent upon local conditions). We hike up the flank of the Tungurahua to see recent lava flows before returning to the spa town of Baños for a dip in a volcanic heated steam bath to sooth aching muscles

Cotopaxi is the second-highest volcano in all of Ecuador and arguably the most picturesque. We will take a guided tour around the base of the volcano, taking us through windswept alpine tundra and lava flows past and present.

The Galapagos are home to the giant Galapagos tortoises, inquisitive sea lions, the famous blue-footed boobies and Pacific frigate birds along with a whole host of mammal, aquatic and bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($135), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $600 minimum), immunizations ($250) and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $1,300

Important KIIS Ecuador Air Travel Notice: The KIIS Ecuador program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Ecuador with other students and faculty. The KIIS group flight option (known as Option 2) is strongly encouraged. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If you wish to purchase flights to Ecuador independently (Option 1), you must contact KIIS Ecuador program director Ryan Kelly at ryan.kelly@kctcs.edu, in advance of making your own independent travel plans.

Cost

Subjects

Deadlines

Program Overview

The KIIS Ecuador program operates in odd-numbered years (2019, 2021, 2023, etc.).

KIIS Ecuador embraces the natural beauty of this South American country: snowcapped volcanic peaks, lush rain forest and the famous Galapagos Islands. This program will mainly focus on the biological sciences, visiting three diverse eco-systems. The program culminates in the Galapagos Islands, home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Note: Students should be aware that many excursions are physically strenuous involving hiking in lowland heat and humidity as well as in cold conditions at higher altitudes.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English.

Accommodations: Hostels/Lodges, 2-6 people per room.

Orientation: Mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

GEOG 328: Elements of Biogeography

This course will examine interrelationships among climatic factors, vegetation biomes, soil-forming processes, as well as human alteration of the bio-geographical environment. The course will also examine the major evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes which have helped to shape the distribution of plant, mammal, avian and aquatic species across the Earth.

BIOL 316 Evolution: Theory and Process

This course examines the set of diverse observations that supports the theory and examines the forces and mechanisms that cause evolutionary change. We will capitalize on the richness of tropical ecosystems by integrating the historical and modern observations and inferences made by others with our own observations in rain forest, tropical montane, and equatorial island (Galapagos Islands) ecosystems.

BIOL 475 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

This course introduces the student to the extraordinary variety of plants, animals, and ecosystems of tropical regions. Students will observe and study the wide range of habitats and species in the natural regions of mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

BIOL 475 Topics: Herpetology

A survey of the reptiles and amphibians of Ecuador. Students will be introduced to ecological concepts, conservation issues, and field sampling techniques that are appropriate for tropical amphibian and reptile species. The course emphasizes field course excursions, exposing students to diverse amphibian and reptile habitats.

BIOL 475 Topics: Aquatic and Marine Biology

This course explores the ecology and the environmental science of aquatic systems on islands and tropical mainlands. Students will tour the underwater world of Ecuador from rivers and calderas in mainland Ecuador to the marine environments on the coasts of the Galapagos in the Pacific Ocean.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Our excursion into the eastern cloud forests will enable us to see hummingbirds and perhaps catch a glimpse of a masked trogon, one of the most colorful birds in all South America. Don’t forget your raincoat… Yanayacu ca be quite wet!!

Your chance to climb an active volcano (contingent upon local conditions). We hike up the flank of the Tungurahua to see recent lava flows before returning to the spa town of Baños for a dip in a volcanic heated steam bath to sooth aching muscles

Cotopaxi is the second-highest volcano in all of Ecuador and arguably the most picturesque. We will take a guided tour around the base of the volcano, taking us through windswept alpine tundra and lava flows past and present.

The Galapagos are home to the giant Galapagos tortoises, inquisitive sea lions, the famous blue-footed boobies and Pacific frigate birds along with a whole host of mammal, aquatic and bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($135), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $600 minimum), immunizations ($250) and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $1,300

Important KIIS Ecuador Air Travel Notice: The KIIS Ecuador program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Ecuador with other students and faculty. The KIIS group flight option (known as Option 2) is strongly encouraged. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If you wish to purchase flights to Ecuador independently (Option 1), you must contact KIIS Ecuador program director Ryan Kelly at ryan.kelly@kctcs.edu, in advance of making your own independent travel plans.